Volunteer Helps Champion Equity Through Her Work with Unhoused Women

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Rue Mushavi. Read her story and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.  

Rue Mushavi has been volunteering with Foundation for Girls (FFG) in Charlotte, North Carolina, for over three years. As a coach, she works with unhoused and marginally housed women, serving as a vital part of their support system. As an organization board member, she is hands-on in strategic decision-making and planning. 

In her personal life, Rue lives the FFG values of leading without labels, inspiring inclusivity and championing equity. As a community leader, she always inspires others to give back and invest in the community. Rue invests hundreds of hours each year to turn around lives for those who do not have anyone to help them. And now, she has her 4-year-old daughter beginning to join her on the volunteering journey.  

Read on to find out about Rue’s volunteer work and what inspires her. 

Describe your volunteer role. 

So my current volunteer role includes coaching – I coach about four program participants. Three of them are young, single moms here in the Carolinas. The FFG organization provides support in the form of the Career Journey, Financial Well-being, Digitally Forward and Circle of Care programs. I take an extra step to build and nurture the relationship between FFG and these women, and by extension, their families.

Another role I have is that of a board member. As a board member, I try to take an active role in the community surrounding conversations around investments from the community. I’m considered one of FFG’s Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Champions. During COVID-19, we recognized that the pandemic itself was affecting our participants even greater than us. We ended up doing a lot of research and leveraged resources from specialists. I ended up creating a guide for coaches, to really understand how trauma can manifest in so many different ways. We wanted coaches to understand that if program participants were not respondent, it had a lot to do with all of their trauma bubbling up to the surface and them really struggling to handle everything that was coming their way. 

Our role as coaches is to really be accountability buddies as well. So each week, taking steps forward. There are so many things going on in our participants’ lives that we can’t even begin to imagine. With the situations that they’re coming from – getting out of abusive relationships, transitioning out of homelessness – weighing so heavily on their hearts and in their heads, it can be difficult for them to focus on themselves and their children. So FFG acts as an extension for them to lean in and get those resources. 

What makes you passionate about this cause? 

I was born and raised in Zimbabwe. And while I was there, I attended an all-girls school. And they really instilled service above self, and servant leadership. We explored what that looked like. Through an organization called Interact, we went out into the community and connected with young mothers who had HIV and AIDS. We supported them.  

When I came to the U.S. for school, I was a student-athlete. I didn’t really get involved at that time, but when I moved to Charlotte, I made a point to look for organizations that really resonates with me and where I was coming from. As a mom, FFG really resonates with me. These women are singlehandedly trying to raise a family and often struggle with marginal housing or lack of resources.  

I’m super passionate about it. I think it’s so important to support these moms and get them to a place where they’re financially stable and can support themselves and their children, leading to multi-generational change. 

Any rewarding stories from your volunteer work? 

So many! So many. If I’m to pinpoint one recently, one of my coachees was accepted into undergrad and is wrapping up their first year. They’re super smart, and I always knew they had the potential to truly flourish. It’s been really rewarding as a coach to watch this all unfold. 

Another recent instance, one of my coachees – a young mom – hasn’t had a drivers license. And she recently got her license. I know to some it may seem trivial, but a license literally opened the door for her to transport herself and her daughter, be at work consistently and limit her reliance on others. I was super thrilled for her to get her license, whereas it had been a challenge in the past. This is going to continue to open doors for her to elevate her career.  

Why is it important for people to get involved with the causes they care about? 

To be honest, when we look at the statistics, nearly 4 million children in the U.S. are living at or below the federal poverty level. When you look at the numbers, when you see what’s happening, there need to be more of us mobilizing and getting involved. There’s so much work to do. I think it’s truly important for people to take steps to get involved. There’s so much happening in the world, and now more than ever, it’s time for us to lean in roll up our sleeves, and do the type of work that truly makes people’s lives better – impact that matters, so to speak. 

What’s your advice for people who want to start volunteering? 

I think at the end of the day, we’re all passionate about something, whether it’s animals, children, young moms, rehabilitation. It’s important to be inquisitive. Ask questions! You never know what you can do to help. What I strongly believe is that it’s important to lead with compassion. Advocacy can show up in many different ways. It’s so crucial to get involved. 

What do you want people to learn from your story? 

I think from my story, I want people to remember that it’s important to be a fierce and constant advocate for the people and communities around you. Look beyond what’s going on in your individual life to ask, “What does my community need from me and what can I do for others?” I always tell the co-founders at FFG, “Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this movement, a part of this community. It’s created so much change in my life.”  

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Rue? Find local volunteer opportunities.  

Retired Teacher Supports America’s First Public Elementary School

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Karyn Stranberg. Read her story and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

Karyn Stranberg, 62, retired from 37 years as a teacher and administrator with Boston Public Schools in 2018. She worked as an itinerant teacher for the blind as well as in her own classroom. For many years, she ran the only after school program for blind kids and a summer program for special needs children. Eventually, her path led to becoming a principal and director of special education with a grand total of around 11 different licenses.

She spent the last 12 years of her career at the Mather School, the first public elementary school in the country founded in 1639. It was also her favorite. Nearly 640 students—fewer since the pandemic—from all over the world attend K-5 classes. Most are from low-income homes, and many speak a language other than English at home.

Even now, Karyn dedicates her free time to making sure students, staff and families of the school are well cared for and set up for success. She builds partnerships and writes grants, sets up drives for resources, organizes groups of volunteers for special events, helps maintain the beautiful outdoor spaces on campus and much more.

What led you to become a teacher? 

I’ve always had a lot of energy. My mom encouraged me to volunteer in sixth grade, so I started teaching at the Association for the Blind. I really loved helping people. I thought I’d go into nursing, but I love educating children of all ages. So, I became an elementary school teacher.  

I eventually received a job in Boston as a middle school administrator and was there for five years. Then, I decided to go back to elementary, and I landed at the Mather. It was my favorite school. And I said, “This is where I’m going to be, and I’m going to retire here. I love this place.” 

What inspires you to volunteer? 

One of the most important things to me is that when a child arrives at school, that it looks nice outside as well as inside, that it’s welcoming. For the families, it’s important that they feel the child is safe. And that it’s a great learning environment. That teachers care.  

I want every child to have what they need. I want them to be dressed for success with their eyes on the prize. That is, I want every child to go to college and to have all the tools they need. That’s what we work on.  

Describe your volunteer role with The Mather School. 

I coordinate getting coats. I bring flowers to the school, and we have groups that plant and clean up. We work with many high schools, colleges and community partnerships that love to come over and spend a day or two helping in whatever way they can, whether it’s cleaning up our science classroom, painting or donating supplies. 

I have high schools that donate school bags and one that sends a group of boys over once a month to help within the building. They also do several drives for things like school bags and school supplies. Another boys high school sent volunteers over last week and cleaned up the whole outside of the property.  

One event that I usually organize is a school-wide canned goods drive. Our students are not wealthy, but they will bring in cans around 1500, and I will make sure they get to a food bank for Thanksgiving. 

Throughout the year, I do a lot of staff appreciation activities, because the staff works hard, and I want them to feel appreciated. They’re working so hard trying to educate the kids, and it’s hard to do everything. I know that because I was an administrator.  

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work? 

Just to see kids smile and be happy is rewarding to me. I make a lot of deliveries to the building, and it’s just so much fun to see kids come out and say, “She’s back! She’s back!” 

I gave a pumpkin to every classroom for Halloween. We have 40 classrooms, and I had 40 big pumpkins in my car. There were children who had never seen a pumpkin who got to help decorate it. It’s also nice to see parents waving to me. They come up and say, “We’ve heard so much about you!” I just want to help society. It’s tough out there. I see a lot of families struggling, and if I can put a smile on a child or a teacher’s face by just doing a little something special, that’s all it takes. 

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer? 

I have to be very clear when I have volunteers. I have to know my mission. I know exactly what to do throughout the year, and I go to the same organizations. I need to make sure that I’m not wasting anyone’s time. And I want feedback from the staff. I don’t want to overwhelm anyone, but I want to be helpful. This is my way to give back to children in Boston that are in need. 

Are there any future partnerships, programs, or events that you are excited about? 

In December, I run a winter carnival. I want kids to enjoy the holidays, so I bring in all sorts of volunteers and the Boy Scouts and E Ink, an environmental science program. 

Brooklyn Literacy, a group of Brookline High School students, come and donate books to the kids. We have games and face painting. My family helps with crafts—we do gingerbread houses. I have a family that makes around 400 cookies for kids to decorate. It’s everything I was brought up doing as a kid, that I want to share, for about 350 to 400 people. 

And in June, Spring Fling gives families opportunities to network with each other in a safe environment. I have a lot of partnerships. It’s not just me; it’s a village.  

Why is it important for others to get involved in causes they care about? 

It makes such a difference in people’s lives. I had a lot of senior citizens helping me with the blind. They read books on tape for me so the children could hear. They felt like they were doing something good for someone. It can be big or small. It doesn’t have to be monetary, but every bit helps. 

What do you want people to learn from your story? 

There’s a need everywhere. Find your interests and then see if you can help. I want people to find what’s in their heart, what would make them happy. They just have to reach out, and they’ll be surprised how much they can help. Everyone is looking for volunteers. 

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Karyn? Find local volunteer opportunities. 

Detroit News Anchor Creates Advancement Opportunities for Teen Girls

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Rhonda Walker. Read her story and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

Rhonda Walker, a native of Detroit, has been working as a broadcast journalist for 25 years and is currently an anchor on her hometown’s NBC affiliate. Even as a kid, she was an inquisitive person who loved reading, writing and telling stories. It was a natural fit. She also grew up with a family that valued helping others.  

“My parents were always mentors and involved in different community causes. It was an important pillar for our family. And when I started working in TV news, I often got invitations to come out and speak and emcee as a professional speaker for a lot of different community causes,” Rhonda recalls. 

As she spent more and more time with people who were working behind the scenes to make such events happen, she began to question if she could make more of an impact by directing her efforts towards a specific cause rather than spreading her time amongst different organizations. 

In the early 2000s, she was visiting different underresourced schools to speak to teen girls about believing in themselves and being leaders. One middle school assembly changed her future and that of many others. In the middle of a conversation, one student asked what to do when you don’t have the encouragement and support of your family but you’re motivated to achieve. 

Rhonda reflected on her good fortune of having two college-educated parents who built up her confidence and cheered her on. How many other kids out there were lacking the support system they needed to succeed? 

“As soon as I left that day, I just had a clear vision of what I needed to do for kids: to inspire, to empower, to give my time, my love and attention to help them reach their greatest potential. And that was the beginning of the Rhonda Walker Foundation (RWF),” she says. 

That was in 2003. As the foundation’s 20th anniversary approaches, RWF has funneled hundreds of girls in 8th through 12th grade through their Girls into Women program, a five-year program that focuses on instilling confidence and preparing students for college and beyond through mentoring, workshops, retreats, summer camp and more. They provide tutors, college test prep classes, scholarships and college tours to the 65 to 75 kids that are in the program at any given time. The Dress for Success program and exposure to summer jobs teaches participants about appropriate work attire, professional etiquette, networking and public speaking. 

“To see the kids come into our program as incoming eighth graders, shy and not sure of themselves, and to watch them grow and blossom in our program to become leaders and great big sisters to the kids that have come after them, it’s just been incredible,” Rhonda says. 

Ruselda Villanueva Johnson, the foundation’s CEO, joined the team in the fall of 2019. She has had many companies in the area mention how much a resume with the Rhonda Walker Foundation listed makes a candidate stand out.  

“They’ll hire them, because they know they’re poised and polished, educated, confident, empowered…all of that,” she states. “Not only are the girls well-rounded by going through this five-year program, but they also are giving back to the community. Every December, we go to the homeless shelter, and we provide services, especially for the Detroit Rescue Mission. 

The girls aren’t the only ones who have learned from the experience. 

“I didn’t have any background in program management or development and running a nonprofit organization, but I just had a love and a passion for kids and a determination to use whatever resources and time that I had in order to create empowering opportunities for them,” Rhonda says. 

Learning on the job wasn’t—and isn’t—the only challenge. Securing funding for sustainability is key to any nonprofit. Rhonda notes the unpredictability of situations like major donors from the automotive industry declaring bankruptcy.  

“It does create a sense of stress and pressure knowing that you have to deliver and that nothing is guaranteed or promised,” she notes. “You do really well one year, and you have to fight off the anxiety of whether we do as well the next year.” 

When the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, RWF changed the way they did things. Moving from doing mostly in-person events to virtual ones reduced costs and increased the number of events they could do. 

“Our expenses were cut down, but we still brought in about the same amount of money. When the pandemic hit, we’d already gotten commitments for a couple of our major summer fundraisers,” Rhonda reflects. “We just had to deliver on the events, and thankfully they were outdoors. We never halted our fundraising.” 

The outdoor charity golf outing went off without a hitch. They were also able to host a 5k and 10k run/walk. Rhonda volunteers around 20 hours each week planning and leading programs and events, fundraising, staff meetings and general management. Her commitment to her work inspires everyone around her. 

“She’s really fearless. She doesn’t like for anyone, whether it’s a teen or adult to say, ‘I can’t do something.’ She’s solution-based. She would like everyone to have some confidence to figure it out and to move forward. With her drive, she drives others to do better. To be better,” Ruselda adds. 

In October, Rhonda and her team will celebrate 20 years of making an impact with an International Day of the Girl-themed gala to celebrate their accomplishments and to honor community members who uplift and empower women. After that, the sky is the limit. Rhonda aspires to expand her work beyond inner-city kids in Detroit to other cities in Michigan and even across the US. 

“I just think that that’s what we’re on this planet to do, to make the space around us better. And whatever passions that we have, that we’re giving of our time to help make a difference,” she says. “It has brought so much to my life. I have made new friends, people that I would otherwise never have known and that I have so much in common with, because they share this passion and interest to help others and to make a difference in the community.” 

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Rhonda Walker? Find local volunteer opportunities.